Trip Log

Quad Cities, IA to New Orleans, LA

Jun 1, 2017

Leach Park to Muscatine, IA

Leaving from the docks at Leach Park by 8:00 am. Friends and family came down to say farewell. We paddled to Muscatine, IA where friends met us and generously got pizza for everyone. At the Muscatine Marina we hung out with everyone, relaxing and visiting. After awhile we paddled across the river and found an area to put the tents up and rest for the night. It got cool during the night making the morning sunrise a welcome sight.

Jun 2, 2017

We started out early, about 6:00 a.m. It was a chilly morning that eventually turned into a warm day. The weather was beautiful and the water was calm, most of the morning having a glass-like stillness. A few barges passed us, one in particular slowed down so as to not put up a big wake for us. It was much appreciated. The friendly captain of the push boat stepped out onto his deck and waved to us. Lock and Dam #17 was the first one (out of three so far) that we had to wait at, about an hour. After the barges went through it was our turn, and not much of a drop since the river is high still. We then paddled just a few more miles to New Boston, IA where we stopped for a lunch break. When done with our short break we paddled twelve more miles to a sandy beach in Quaketa, IL, perfect for camping for the night.

Jun 3, 2017

Day three was our longest day so far with 47.5 miles total. We kept going until we reached an old friends house on the river, taking us ten hours to get to our destination (with only one 15 minute break). These generous friends let us stop there and camp on their property. And as if that wasn’t good enough, they also treated us to a delicious dinner of ribs, complete with dessert. We’re so thankful for their hospitality and kindness.

Jun 4, 2017

35 miles paddling today. This took us to Canton, MO. Lock and dam 20, just a few miles before Canton, had our biggest drop, 30 feet! We got a great spot to camp for the night, with shelter. Tomorrow we will pass by Hannibal, MO, home of Mark Twain. Looking forward to taking a short break in the town, walking around a bit.

TBA

Jun 5, 2017

Hannibal, MO

We paddled to Hannibal, MO today, home of Mark Twain. Decided to stop and walk around a bit and ended up having lunch, catfish burgers, at Rumor Has It Cafe. Then we left the quaint town and paddled 8 more miles to a sand bar to camp on. 38 miles total, beautiful day. Happy for the nice sandbar at the end of it.

TBA

Jun 6, 2017

Hamburg, IL

Paddled 42 miles. Dana stopped a car to ask permission to camp at the park and the man, knowing the mayor, took him to ask him. Mayor Sony said we could camp at the community park. We’re so grateful for the generousity of everyone we’re meeting.

Jun 7, 2017

Paddled 45 miles today. Camped on a flooded street in Hamburg, IL. Had some drive by truckers splashing down the flooded road, cheering, “Ain’t no water going to stop us!”

Jun 8, 2017

Saint Louis, MO

Today we paddled through St. Louis, MO. We passed by the Gateway Arch, such a magnificient structure! There was a lot of barge traffic that we had to make sure to navigate around safely. We ended the day on a strip of beach just past the city after doing 43 miles total. Tomorrow onto St. Genevieve.

Jun 9, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 10, 2017

Cape Giradeau, MO

Trying to make it to Cairo tomorrow before 3:00 to pick up Chris’s drone, we put in lots of miles today.

Jun 11, 2017

Cairo, IL

Today we paddled to Cairo, IL where we picked up Chris’s drone at the Post Office. It was about a 2 mile walk to the Post Office and we saw that the town of Cairo is unfortunately practically a ghost town now.

Jun 12, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 13, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 14, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 15, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 16, 2017

Had a day with plenty of challenges on the river today. So many wing dams set up now by the Corps of Engineers to make the river as efficient and quick as they can for the barges, but this means it’s harder for canoes, kayaks and the like to navigate the river. We were forced to be in the main channel where the barges were and one barge wasn’t giving us enough space as they could making for a dicey situation that we were glad to be past as soon as we could. Stan’s kayak flipped in a back Eddie. He had to evacuate to flip it back. Also contended with a rain storm. We were very glad to finally be on the shore and rest at the end of our miles today.

Jun 17, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 18, 2017

Memphis, TN

We got to Memphis after a wet 30 mile paddle today. Got to leave the canoes at the Boat Club and walk around town a bit. First though, the very gracious and generous Boat Club manager made us a breakfast of scrammbled eggs, bacon, coffee and biscuits! Then they he us use the showers too so everyone got to clean up. We so appreciate his true southern hospitality! Later we walked down Beale St. in the rain, found a place to eat and enjoyed burgers and fries. Back to the Boat Club. With rain still falling we asked if we could spend the night there. At first it looked like it wouldn’t be possible, but then we got the good news that we could camp out in the laundry room of the club. It was perfect. Dry, warm, had restrooms…perfect. Memphis was good to us, and we’ll always remember that!

Jun 19, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 20, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 21, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 22, 2017

Today was a challenging day on the river, battling the wind. Thunderstorm came up at night. Tropical Storm Cindy is supposed to be heading our way tomorrow morning. We’ll see how it goes. Will probably have to be taking a day off of the river. Hoping it doesn’t get too bad.

Jun 23, 2017

Tropical storm Cindy. It’s been downgraded to a tropical depression, but it still blew through where we were with a vengeance. We stayed each in our tents all day as it rained and poured. Then we thought it was passed, when we noticed storm clouds coming at us, fast. Then the winds got very intense; could have been up to 60 mph maybe. Our tents were collapsing, poles coming down, etc. Fortunately we got through it and our canoes were undamaged too! Glad to have that system move on by. Glad for clearer skies and to be able to get back on the river again the next day.

Jun 24, 2017

With much better weather, we set off this morning. Thankfully the storm was passed and we could do the miles we needed to get us into position to arrive at Vicksburg on Monday to meet up with Gabby and his son, Gabby Jr. Looking very forward to seeing them again after several years and having them join us!

Jun 25, 2017

Vicksburg, MS

Gabriel Delgado and his son Gabriel Jr. will be meeting up with us and paddling to New Orleans.

Jun 28, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 27, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 26, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 29, 2017

?

TBA

Jun 30, 2017

Baton Rouge, LA

We will be joined by my brother Jeff and my long time friend Lindsey Hall.

Both Jeff and Lindsey are flying in from Toronto to paddle with us until trip’s end in New Orleans.